Linda Lou Tongate

Linda Lou Pell Tongate, 85, of Lewisport, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025 while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky with her family at her side. She was born June 9, 1940 in Owensboro, KY to the late Joe C. Pell and Evis Breidenbach Pell.

Linda grew up in Lewisport. She was a 1958 graduate from Lewisport Consolidated School,  a graduate of Brescia University and went on to earn a Master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. She retired from the Hancock Board of Education in 2004 after working as media center assistant and teacher at Hancock County High School for over 30 years. After retirement she continued working another 16 years as a substitute teacher. Linda was a former president of the Lewisport Women’s Club, was instrumental in organizing the first Lewisport Heritage Festival and was active in planning the event each year. She served many years on the GRADD Board of Directors. She enjoyed sewing, reading, traveling, painting, and spending time with her friends, and family. She was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church.

Linda was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Karrie Nichole Hodskins.  Surviving are her two daughters, Julie Martin (Donnie) and Lori Hodskins (Gary Bloyd), all of Lewisport; three grandchildren, Nicholas Hodskins, Mary Lynn Millsaps (Timmy), and Kyle Hodskins; five great grandchildren, Shelby Ford (Madison Williams), Brody Hodskins, and Sydney, Cohen, and Aiden Millsaps.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Hancock County Library Bookmobile Services, Hancock County Senior Services Meals on Wheels, Linda’s in home caregivers and nurses and staff at Oakwood Health Campus.

A service will be held at 2:00 on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Gibson and Son Funeral Home, Lewisport Chapel with burial to follow in Lewisport Cemetery. Visitation is 10:00 to 2:00 on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Hancock County Public Library

Bookmobile Services

1210 Madison Street

Hawesville, KY 42348

Hancock County Senior Center

Meals On Wheels

315 Ridgewood Drive

Hawesville, KY  42348

St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN  38105

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